I woke up one morning and checked my mail as any normal person would do (not e-mail) when I saw the two words I feared most. 'Tax Due' and then I saw something even worse. 'Jury Duty'. I ran laps around the house whilst yelling inappropriate language. I then realised it was my duty as a citizen to do jury duty. My wife was right.

*****

After arriving at the court I started to read a novel. After I finished it and went into a deep philosophical debate about it with another juror (the book was 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', a man emerged from the door and called me in.

I heard my name being called out and I replied 'Yes?' Then a gentleman showed me to my seat. I read my oath out like schoolchildren do when replying to 'Good morning Class!'
I sat oblivious to the court drama around me. The defence were ok but the prosecution seemed to dominate.

*****

We then were told to discuss the case and reach a verdict. We all sat down and simultaneously said 'Guilty.' We then debated about The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. We all decided that I was the foreman.
I stood up. The usher spoke 'Has the Jury reached a verdict?' to which I replied 'A what?' the usher sighed and said 'Have you decided about the outcome of the trial?'
'Oh... Yeah, he's guilty'
'Jury dismissed.'

We all raced out to the pub (bar if you're American) and celebrated. I returned home in a semi-drunken state glad that it was over. The experience changed a lot about me; The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy seemed different.